Food
Today I took advantage of my random day off (every school gets to choose 2, and this was ours. Viva!) to prepare a lunch of breaded chicken and fries. Never have I ever...cooked chicken. And although it didn't turn out Michelin star-worthy, I was highly satisfied with the 'labor' I put into it. Buying the meat in the carnicería, breading it and frying it myself; buying a sack of potatoes in the frutería, cutting and frying them myself. Supposedly real Spaniards do this kind of thing on a daily basis. It only took 1 month into my New Year's Resolution for me to start. I hope to advance with my culinary attempts and perhaps one day say adiós to frozen croquetas-- NAHHHHH! I'll be content when I've mastered the tortilla española and some seafood.
Finances
Auxiliares de conversación (my official job title) are given a monthly stipend to take care of living expenses. In most autonomous communities, the payment starts months later, and reasonably so thanks to the state of Spain's economy. But luckily for us, Galicia is one of the most consistent and prompt when it comes to paying auxiliares. As of today, we still haven't received last month's money. Among the other auxiliares, madness ensues. But I'm going to toot my own horn, porque no tengo abuela (in Spanish the expression "don't have a grandma" is used to describe someone who brags about herself. Grandmas usually brag about their grandchildren, but if you have no grandma, you have to do it yourself). Wouldn't my parents be delighted (and surprised) to know that I'm fiscally responsible? That I have enough money for rent and food while others are ready to revolt against the Galician government?
With the cash-paying private English lessons on the side, it's easy not to need to withdraw. I happily haven't used my American accounts since early December. It's not that I'm rolling in the dough, I just have it under control. A ver si I feel so financially sound after my birthday/Carnival/Semana Santa...
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| Sneak peak of Birthday Week 2014 celebrations |
